RITE OF BLESSING OF A NEW HOUSE

INTRODUCTORY RITES Bishop: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Peace be with this house and with all who dwell here. And also with you. When Christ took flesh through the Blessed Virgin Mary, he made his home with us. Let us now pray that he will enter this home and bless it with his presence. May he always be here among you; may he nurture your love for each other, share in your joys, comfort you in your sorrows. Inspired by his teachings and example, seek to make your new home before all else a dwelling place of love, diffusing far and wide the goodness of Christ.

R: Bishop: R: Bishop:

READING OF THE WORD OF GOD Brothers and sisters, listen to the words of the holy gospel according to Luke: Peace to this house. The Lord said to the seventy-two: "Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.' If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God is at hand for you."' The gospel of the Lord.

INTERCESSIONS Bishop: The Son of God, Lord of heaven and earth, made his home among us. With thankfulness and gladness let us call upon him, saying: Stay with us, Lord. Lord Jesus Christ, by your life with Mary and Joseph you sanctified the life of the home; dwell with us in our home, so that we may have you as our guest and honor you as our Head. For this we pray: In you every dwelling grows into a holy temple; grant that those who live in this house may be built up together into the dwelling place of God in the Holy Spirit. For this we pray: You taught your followers to build their houses upon solid rock; grant that the members of this family may hold fast to your teachings and, free of all discord, serve you with their whole heart. For this we pray: You had no place to lay your head, but in uncomplaining poverty you accepted the hospitality of your friends; grant that through our help people who are homeless may obtain decent housing. For this we pray:

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PRAYER OF BLESSING Bishop: Lord, be close to your servants who move into this home and ask for your blessing. Be their shelter when they are at home, their companion when they are away, and their welcome guest when they return. And at last receive them into the dwelling place you have prepared for them in your Father's house, where you live for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

After the prayer of blessing, the minister sprinkles those present and the new home with holy water and, as circumstances suggest, during the sprinkling may say:

Bishop:

Let this water call to mind our baptism into Christ, who has redeemed us by his death and resurrection. Amen.

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RITE OF BLESSING OF A CHURCH OR ORATORY

INTRODUCTORY RITES Bishop: The grace and peace of God be with all of you in his holy Church. And also with you.

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BLESSING AND SPRINGKLING OF WATER Then the bishop blesses the water with which to sprinkle the people as a sign of repentance and as reminder of their baptism Bishop: Brothers and sisters in Christ, this is a day of rejoicing. For we have come together to offer this new church to God. We ask that he bless us with his grace and, by his power, bless this gift of water. As it is sprinkled upon us and throughout this new church, may it become a sign of our repentance, a reminder of our baptism, and a symbol of the cleansing of these walls. But first let us call to mind that we ourselves, who are bound here in faith and love, are the living Church, set in the world, as a sign and witness of Gods love for all. All pray in silence for a brief period. The bishop continues:

God of mercy, you call every creature to the light of life, and surround us with such great love that when we stray you continually lead us back to Christ our head. For you have established an inheritance of such mercy that those sinners who pass through water made sacred, die with Christ and rise restored as members of his body and heirs of his eternal covenant. Bless this water; Sanctify it. As it is sprinkled upon us and throughout this church make it a sign of the saving waters of baptism, by which we become one in Christ, the temple of your Spirit. May all here today and all those in days to come, who will celebrate your mysteries in this church, be united at last in the holy city of your peace. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. R. Amen.

The bishop sprinkles the people and the walls with the holy water, when he returned to sanctuary, he sprinkles the altar. Meanwhile a hymn or antiphon is sung. At the conclusion of the sprinkling the Bishop prays: Bishop: May God, the God of all mercies, dwell in this house of prayer. May the grace of the Holy Spirit cleanse us, for we are the temple of Gods presence. Amen.

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OPENING PRAYER Bishop: Lord, bless this church, which have been privileged to build with your help. May all who gather here in faith to listen to your word and celebrate your sacraments, experience the presence of Christ, who promised to be with those gathered in his name, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit; one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel, and stretching forth his hands toward heaven, he said, LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below; you keep covenant and love toward your servants who walk before you with their whole heart. Is God indeed to dwell on earth? If the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain you, how much less this house which I have built! Regard kindly the prayer and petition of your servant, LORD, my God, and listen to the cry of supplication which I, your servant, utter before you this day. 29 May your eyes be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you said, My name shall be there; listen to the prayer your servant makes toward this place. 30 Listen to the petition of your servant and of your people Israel which they offer toward this place. Listen, from the place of your enthronement, heaven, listen and forgive.